Anybody notice the Mets beat Penny (like a drum) and Maddux recently, then took two out of three on the road against the dreaded Marlins? Not quite sure why the Padres would be seen as such threats. After Peavy, their starting staff is ordinary, they don't generate much offense, and the Mets would steal Piazza blind. The Giants should be a little more worrisome to the Mets because they always play New York tough.

Also, who knows what shape the wild-card winner will be in once they get to the playoffs? What if the Padres have to pitch Peavy the last day of the season just to get in, so he can't go until Game 3? What if the Giants have to throw Schmidt on three days rest a couple of times and he's a little gassed by the time he gets to postseason? The wild-card winner could have a screwed up rotation by the time they get to the Mets, who at least will have their staff rested and set up just the way they want it.